Coleman urges stiffer sanctions against counterfeit cable makers

Coleman Technical Industries Limited has called for stricter penalties against counterfeit and substandard cable manufacturers and distributors, citing weak enforcement as a driving factor behind the illicit trade's growth. Managing Director and CEO George Onafowokan emphasized the need for the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to bolster its enforcement efforts to safeguard genuine manufacturers and consumers from inferior products.

Onafowokan criticized the effectiveness of merely confiscating and destroying counterfeit cables without pursuing legal action against those responsible, arguing that this approach lacks a deterrent effect. He questioned the number of counterfeiters prosecuted by SON, alleging that the regulator has failed to ensure that offenders face criminal sanctions.

Onafowokan also pointed out that SON sometimes concentrates on charging manufacturers for cable testing rather than collaborating with relevant agencies to prosecute those involved in counterfeiting.

Onafowokan suggested that regulators should follow the lead of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which has ramped up enforcement against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. He argued that without consequences, companies are merely removing products from shelves without recognizing that they have committed a criminal act.

He stressed the potential dangers of substandard cables, which can lead to fires and endanger lives, necessitating stronger enforcement and prosecution measures. Coleman has been collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force, including the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, and various state and zonal commands, to combat cable counterfeiting.

The company has also incurred substantial costs supporting investigations and legal procedures, including laboratory testing of suspected adulterated cables. Coleman is awaiting the resolution of a case that could mark the first conviction in Nigeria for adulterating cables.

Onafowokan highlighted the profitability of counterfeit cables, produced with reduced quantities and inferior materials but sold at prices comparable to genuine products. He noted that substandard cables may contain 30 to 40 percent less material in length, allowing counterfeiters to generate substantial profits while putting consumers at risk.

He called for increased government support for local manufacturers under the Nigeria First policy, noting that Coleman has benefited from expanding local-content opportunities in the oil and gas and telecommunications sectors. Coleman's Executive Director, Michael Onafowokan, emphasized the regulator's responsibility to foster an environment conducive to quality products while targeting counterfeiters.

He urged for strengthened enforcement efforts, noting that counterfeiting is increasingly occurring within Nigeria in addition to the importation of substandard products. The Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ilori Sanusi, urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to review existing laws and ensure penalties for counterfeiting are commensurate with the severity of the offenses, stressing that harsher punishments are necessary to act as a deterrent.